My hometown is a perfect road trip part 1

Not all of my readers know me personally. Some have found me through social media and while checking out travel blogs,. Here’s a chance to learn a little bit about me and my local surroundings.

I have lived in the same small town for 45 years. It’s a small coastal city that I now realize I’ve never fully appreciated. I recently went outside of Pacifica to another coastal tourist town. When I looked around I realized that city, other than a few big businesses, is exactly like the city I grew up in. It’s the same city I bought a house when I got married, have raised four boys and am fortunate to see everyday.

My little town is Pacifica in Northern California, It’s about a 15 minute drive outside of San Francisco. It’s known for a lot of things such as being foggy and cold. I don’t agree with that anymore. The climate has definitely changed. Today happens to be a beautiful clear day that I spent outside gardening and blogging.

Veggies from my garden

Pacifica also has a fast food restaurant on the beach. It’s a Taco Bell now but while I was growing up it was an A&W. Click here to read more. Best Taco Bell in the world. Yeah this Taco Bell’s been named the BEST TACO BELL ever. #1!!! Not because of the food. All Taco Bells have just about the same menu. It’s because of the the location and the views.

Here’s how your road trip to Pacifica might look.

Driving south from San Francisco down coastal Highway 1, you’ll enter Pacifica. On your right you’ll see a beautiful view of the Farallon Islands. Down a little further you’ll see the Pacifica pier where people walk along the sea wall, sit on the beach and fish. .
We are pretending everyone is traveling on a day like today. Warm, sunny and clear. Pretend with me please.

Remember, I’m just now learning to appreciate what Ive had right in front of me this whole time. I’m trying to look at it from an outsiders point of view.

Drive a few more miles down the road and you’ll pass the Pacifica golf course. Continue on through Valley Mar. Off to your left in an old train car is the location of a BBQ joint featured on Food Networks Diners Drive Ins & Dives. Gorilla BBQ. Lines can be long and they sell out fast on busy days but it’s worth the stop.

A little bit further down, still on your right, because that’s the side the oceans on and that’s what we’re talking about, is Rockaway Beach. Lots of shops and restaurants to check out. My favorite is a fairly new one called Breakers Resturant. A fabulous breakfast and lunch spot. Totally small town. Soooo yummy! I love the blueberry pancakes.

Go up over the small hill and you’ll see Linda Mar beach to your right. If you turn left at that very first stop light on Crespi Drive, at the next stop sign to your right, you’ll find my absolutely favorite coffee shop Fog City Java. It’s kinda like my very own personal Cheers. I go there almost every morning, try to sit in the same spot and have my delicious Vanilla Bean Coffee. I really miss the coffee and the people when I go on road trips. I have met so many people, I now can call friends, and meet more everyday. The core group I have come to think of more as family. I hope they know how much they mean to me. Stop in. Have some coffee, order a veggie bagel, have a fresh made donut and tell `em I sent ya. Then head over to Linda Mar beach. Bring a jacket because it can be chilly.

Walking the beach you’ll see the Taco Bell I was telling you about earlier. Admittedly, I don’t walk this beach as much as I should. I need to change that.

Well that’s the basics as I see it. Except for the coffee recommended detour, it’s what you see if you drive straight through on Hwy 1. If you take time to venture off the highway you’ll find lots of other fun places. A great deli, Columbos. Next door a vintage consignment store. Near the pier there are more businesses worth your time. I know there are a lot of places not mentioned in this blog. Google Pacifica. Read about other places that interest you. Visit them.

Hey local friends, please don’t yell at me. I said I have a newfound appreciation for where I live. For such a small town there are a lot of places I’ve never seen. I plan to take local road/walking trips very soon.

The pier is a place I have not gone to since I was a little girl. I remember fishing with my dad probably about 37 years ago. It’s on my list of places I need to go to again.

Part two will be sharing more about Pacifica and the people in it. Hope you’ve enjoyed a glimps into the under appreciated, mainly by me, peek into Pacifica, California. Please come back to read part 2.